Screening of Rwandan and Kenyan potato varieties to predominant strains of Ralstonia solanacearum species complex of Rwanda

Abstract

Bacterial wilt (BW), caused by Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC), leads to substantial potato yield losses in Rwanda. Studies were conducted to test the pathogenicity of predominant RSSC phylotypes on six commercial potato cultivars. Pathogenicity of one phylotype II strain and two phylotype III strains were tested on cultivars Kinigi, Kirundo, Victoria, Kazeneza, Twihaze and Cruza. None of the cultivars had complete resistance to the tested phylotypes, level of susceptibility varied among cultivars. Cultivar Cruza, which is less susceptible to phylotype II and III strains, is recommended when planting potatoes in the fields with history of BW.